Published: 7 hours ago

The Government is set to introduce tougher penalties for traffic offenders, targeting errant drivers and transport operators, as part of a sweeping new law aimed at overhauling road safety and post-accident care.

The measures are outlined in the forthcoming Road Accident Fund (RAF) Bill, which entered its public consultation phase with a launch in Bulawayo on Monday.

Once enacted, the Bill will establish a fund to provide timely medical aid, funeral expenses, and compensation to victims of road traffic accidents, irrespective of who caused the incident. The fund will be primarily financed through Motor Vehicle Insurance premiums and is designed to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries significantly by 2030.

The move comes amid alarming road safety statistics: Zimbabwe records a traffic crash every 15 minutes, resulting in over 35 000 crashes annually, with an average of five fatalities daily, more than 1 800 deaths per year, and around 10 000 injuries.

Speaking on behalf of Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, Zimbabwe Traffic Safety Council board chairperson Kura Sibanda said the Government is committed to implementing "robust policy, legal, and administrative mechanisms" to transform road safety.

"The constant evolution of transport worldwide presents us with multiple challenges. This calls for Zimbabwe to plan, take tough decisions, and bring sanity to road transport management," Sibanda said.

Unlike the current fault-based insurance system, which requires victims to prove negligence, the RAF will operate as a no-fault fund, ensuring faster claims processing and immediate support for victims. Officials described the initiative as a "game changer" for road safety and accident management in the country.

The RAF Bill is expected to have a far-reaching impact on Zimbabwe's transport sector, improving road safety compliance and reducing delays in compensating victims of traffic accidents.
- The Herald

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